Mini-automation controller

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for controlling lab equipment such as transmitters are provided that includes a mini automation controller (MAC). The system provides a control system, user interface, and interfaces, including network interfaces usable for interfacing equipment, MAC, and user interfaces over a network, which provide a variety of functions including automation and monitoring of transmission sequences and receiver events. An exemplary MAC may include an Ethernet controller capable of converting an Ethernet signal to a serial signal. The MAC may also include a receiver monitor section comprising a fiber optic receiver input, a copper cable receiver input, and a monostable multivibrator. In addition to the receiver monitor section, the MAC may have a transmitter control section including a transmitter control pulse and a power output. An exemplary MAC may have a microcontroller coupled to the Ethernet controller, the receiver monitor section, and the transmitter control section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/484,608, filed on Apr. 11, 2017and titled “Mini-Automation Controller”; priority to U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/644,651, now U.S. Pat. No.9,874,858, filed on Mar. 11, 2015 and titled “Mini-AutomationController”; and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/954,800, filed on Mar. 18, 2014 and titled “Mini AutomationController”, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The invention described herein was made in the performance of officialduties by employees of the Department of the Navy and may bemanufactured, used and licensed by or for the United States Governmentfor any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon.This invention (Navy Case 200,578) is assigned to the United StatesGovernment and is available for licensing for commercial purposes.Licensing and technical inquiries may be directed to the TechnologyTransfer Office, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, email:Cran_CTO@navy.mil.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method forautomatically controlling and/or monitoring various devices being testedin a laboratory environment.

BACKGROUND

Current methods of controlling transmitters, e.g. prototype, systemunder test, or experimental transmitters, in lab testing consist of anoperator manually activating a control button, which provides atransmitter a required input to begin a transmission sequence. Anoperator would then observe a standard multi-meter output and record, byhand, a date/time a receive event occurred. This method of testing isboth wasteful and inaccurate. A need presently exists for a way toautomate and monitor a transmission sequence and receiver event. Anotheraspect is providing a monitoring and automation system which is flexibleenough and capable of monitoring a variety of transmission sequenceand/or receiver events to include particular types of timing or signalevents.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment of the present disclosure a mini automation controlleris provided comprising: a first controller adapted to convert aplurality of first signals to a plurality of second signals, whereinsaid first signals are defined by a first communication protocol andsaid second signals are defined by a second communication protocol; amicrocontroller operable to automate and monitor at least one event of agroup of events comprising a transmission sequence event and a receiverevent, said microcontroller being electronically coupled to the firstcontroller; a receiver monitor section adapted to couple with themicrocontroller and at least one receiver comprising a monostablemultivibrator integrated circuit coupled between the first controllerand at least one interface to said at least one receiver; and atransmitter control section adapted to couple with the microcontrollerand at least one transmitter, said transmitter control sectioncomprising a transmitter control pulse section and a transmitter poweroutput section, said transmitter control pulse section and transmitterpower output section are coupled to said at least one transmitter;wherein the microcontroller can receive a transmitter or receiver eventcontrol signal from a control system external to the mini automationcontroller via the first controller and activates the transmittercontrol section to send a transmission signal from the transmittercontrol pulse section and power output section, the microcontroller isconfigured to receive a receiver activation signal from the monostablemultivibrator integrated circuit that the receiver monitor section hasreceived the transmission signal; wherein the microcontroller sends theplurality of first signals to the first controller regarding a status ofthe transmitter control section and the receiver monitor section whereinthe plurality of first signals are converted to the plurality of secondsignals by the first controller and at least one of the plurality ofsecond signals is sent to the control system external to the miniautomation controller.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure a transmission andreceive event control system is provided comprising: at least onereceiver; at least one transmitter; a test control system comprising adisplay, a non-transitory storage medium adapted to store a plurality ofnon-transitory machine readable instructions, an input/output system,and a plurality of test control system machine readable instructionsstored on said non-transitory machine readable media includinginstructions operable to generate one or more graphical user interfaceon said display adapted to facilitate user control of said transmissionand receive event control system, wherein said one or more graphicaluser interfaces comprises a menu of a plurality of operations associatedwith one or more transmission sequence events and receiver events; amini automation controller comprising: a first controller adapted toconvert a plurality of first signals to a plurality of second signals,wherein said first signals are defined by a first communication protocoland said second signals are defined by a second communication protocol;a microcontroller operable to automate and monitor at least one event ofa group of events comprising said transmission sequence events andreceiver events, said microcontroller being electronically coupled tothe first controller; a receiver monitor section adapted to couple withthe microcontroller and at least one receiver comprising a monostablemultivibrator integrated circuit coupled between the first controllerand at least one interface to said at least one receiver; a transmittercontrol section adapted to couple with the microcontroller and at leastone transmitter, said transmitter control section comprising atransmitter control pulse section and a transmitter power outputsection, said transmitter control pulse section and transmitter poweroutput section are coupled to said at least one transmitter; wherein themicrocontroller can receive a transmitter or receiver event controlsignal from said control system external to the mini automationcontroller via the first controller and activates the transmittercontrol section to send a transmission signal from the transmittercontrol pulse section and power output section, the microcontroller isconfigured to receive a receiver activation signal from the monostablemultivibrator integrated circuit that the receiver monitor section hasreceived the transmission signal; and wherein the microcontroller sendsthe plurality of first signals to the first controller regarding astatus of the transmitter control section and the receiver monitorsection wherein the plurality of first signals are converted to theplurality of second signals by the first controller and at least one ofthe plurality of second signals is sent to the control system externalto the mini automation controller.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure a method ofautomating and monitoring one or more transmission event sequences andreceiver event sequences is provided comprising: providing at least onereceiver; providing at least one transmitter; providing a miniautomation controller; providing a test control system comprising adisplay, an input/output system, a plurality of test control systemmachine readable instructions stored on a non-transitory machinereadable media including instructions operable to generate one or moregraphical user interfaces on said display adapted to facilitate usercontrol of said transmission and receive event sequences, said one ormore graphical user interfaces comprise a first graphical user interfaceincluding a first user input box that allows a user to input a desiredtransmission interval, a second user input box that allows the user toinput a desired transmission length, and a third user input box operableto allow the user to set a network address associated with said miniautomation controller, wherein said first graphical user interfaceincludes a graphical representation of transmit and receive dataassociated with the operation of elements of said one or moretransmission event sequences and receiver event sequences.

The embodiment further includes said mini automation controllercomprising: a network interface controller coupled to said test controlsystem adapted to convert a plurality of first signals to a plurality ofsecond signals, wherein said first signals are defined by a firstcommunication protocol and said second signals are defined by a secondcommunication protocol; a microcontroller comprising a non-transitorymemory and a plurality of machine readable instructions stored in saidnon-transitory memory, said machine readable instructions are operableto automate and monitor at least one event of a group of eventscomprising said one or more transmission event sequences and said one ormore receiver event sequences, said microcontroller being electronicallycoupled to the network interface controller; a receiver monitor sectionadapted to couple with the microcontroller and at least one receivercomprising a monostable multivibrator integrated circuit coupled betweenthe network interface controller and said at least one interface to saidat least one receiver.

The embodiment further includes a transmitter control section adapted tocouple with the microcontroller and said at least one transmitter, saidtransmitter control section comprising a transmitter control pulsesection and a transmitter power output section, said transmitter controlpulse section and transmitter power output section are coupled to saidat least one transmitter; wherein the microcontroller can receive atransmitter or receiver event control signal from said test controlsystem via the network interface controller and transmitter eventcontrol signal activates the transmitter control section to send atransmission signal from the transmitter control pulse section and poweroutput section, wherein the microcontroller is configured to receive areceiver activation signal from the monostable multivibrator integratedcircuit that the receiver monitor section has received the transmissionsignal, where said control system is external to the mini automationcontroller and comprises a test control system adapted to receive userinputs; wherein the microcontroller sends the plurality of first signalsto the network interface controller regarding a status of thetransmitter control section and the receiver monitor section wherein theplurality of first signals are converted to the plurality of secondsignals by the network interface controller and sent to the controlsystem external to the mini automation controller.

The embodiment further includes providing said at least one transmitterand said at least one receiver and coupling said at least onetransmitter and said at least one receiver respectively to saidtransmitter control section and said receive monitor section; settingone or more microcontroller settings, said microcontroller settingscomprising one or more user modifiable configuration settings, assigningfunctions to the microcontroller pins including transmission event andreceive event related functions associated respectively with said atleast one transmitter and said at least one receiver, setting one ormore communications parameters associated with the network interfacecontroller, and setting one or more default settings for timing of atleast one of said transmission sequence event, wherein said one or moreuser modifiable configuration settings comprise timing of saidtransmission sequence event; monitoring for a first message from saidtest control system using said microcontroller, wherein a first commandis received through said network interface controller; operating atleast one of said one or more graphical user interfaces to generate saidfirst message to said mini automation controller.

The embodiment further includes performing a look-up of said firstmessage in said non-transitory memory comprising identifying andselecting one or more of said plurality of machine readable instructionsassociated with said first message, said one or more of said pluralityof machine readable instructions associated with said first messagecomprising a plurality of instructions operable to control said miniautomation controller, said at least one receiver, and said at least onetransmitter, said one or more of said plurality of machine readableinstructions associated with said first message including instructionsoperable for controlling execution of said one or more transmissionevent sequences and receiver event sequences in response to said firstmessage comprises changing said configuration settings; and executingsaid one or more of said plurality of machine readable instructionsassociated with said first message.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure an electroniccontroller is provided comprising a converter component communicablycoupled to a computing device, the converter component configured toreceive at least one data signal from the computing device and output afirst converted data signal; a controller component communicably coupledto the converter component and configured to receive the first converteddata signal and output a control signal; a first circuit configured toreceive the control signal and generate a transmitter control pulsedirected to a test device; a second circuit configured to receive one ormore indicator signals from the test device wherein the indicatorsignals include at least one of a high state indicating the test devicereceived the transmitter control pulse and a low state indicating thetest device did not receive the transmitter control pulse; a signal holdcircuit electrically coupled to the second circuit and the controllercomponent the signal hold circuit configured to hold at least one of theone or more indicator signals for a duration and output the heldindicator signal; and wherein the controller component includes logicoperative to: generate at least one data signal provided to theconverter component wherein the data signal indicates the state of theindicator signal; and wherein the converter component operative toprovide a second converted data signal directed to the computing devicewherein the second converted data signal indicates the state of theindicator signal.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure an automated controlsystem is provided comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) operativeto display data corresponding to one or more characteristics of theautomated control system; an electronic controller having one or morecircuits configured to: generate a reoccurring transmitter control pulseconfigured for receipt by a test device and receive an indicator signalindicating the test device received at least one occurrence of thereoccurring transmitter control pulse; and a computing devicecommunicably coupled to the GUI and communicably coupled to theelectronic controller, the computing device configured to provide one ormore operational inputs to the electronic controller and to display, viathe GUI, at least one of: a signal waveform corresponding to the actualnumber of transmitter control pulses generated by the electroniccontroller and a signal waveform corresponding to the actual number ofindicator signals received by the electronic controller.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure a method in anautomated control system is provided comprising: providing, by agraphical user interface (GUI), one or more operational inputs to anelectronic controller; sending, by a computing device, a first datasignal to a converter component wherein the data signal includes a firstdata protocol format; converting, by the converter component, the firstdata signal to a second data signal including a second data protocolformat; generating, by the electronic controller, one or more controlsignals corresponding to at least one of: a transmitter control pulseand a supply voltage of a predetermined voltage value; providing, by theelectronic controller, one or more control signals to a test devicewherein at least one control signal is a reoccurring transmitter controlpulse that causes a transmitter of the test device to transmit a firstsignal to a receiver of the test device; receiving, by the electroniccontroller, one or more indicator signals from the receiver of the testdevice wherein the indicator signals indicate whether the receiverreceived the first signal; and receiving, by the computing device, oneor more data signals corresponding to the number of indicator signalsreceived by the electronic controller and the number of reoccurringtransmitter control pulses provided to the test device.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure a method ofinterfacing with a controller of an automated control system is providedcomprising: providing a command to the controller from a computingdevice to verify a connection between the computing device and thecontroller; providing a command to the controller from a computingdevice to obtain a first signal transmit interval wherein the controllerresponds by providing an integer corresponding to the first signaltransmit interval; providing a command to the controller from acomputing device, the command indicating a desire to provide a secondsignal transmit interval; providing an integer to the controller from acomputing device in response to the controller requesting a user input,wherein the integer indicates the second signal transmit interval;providing a command to the controller from a computing device to obtaina firmware revision number wherein the controller responds by providingthe firmware revision number; providing a command to the controller froma computing device to obtain a serial number corresponding to thecontroller wherein the controller responds by providing the serialnumber; providing a command to the controller from a computing device toobtain a first transmit signal length wherein the controller responds byproviding an integer corresponding to the first transmit signal length;providing a command to the controller from a computing device, thecommand indicating a desire to provide a second transmit signal length;providing an integer to the controller from a computing device inresponse to the controller requesting a user input, wherein the integerindicates the second transmit signal length; and providing a command tothe controller from a computing device to begin a signal transmit andsignal receive sequence wherein the controller responds by providing aninteger indicating that: no transmit signal was detected and no receivesignal was detected; only a transmit signal was detected; only a receivesignal was detected; a transmit signal was detected and a receive signalwas detected.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying thebest mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a mini-automation controlleraccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a first timing diagram illustrating one feature of anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a second timing diagram illustrating another feature of anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front side perspective view of a mini-automation controllerin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a back side perspective view of the mini-automation controllerof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram providing an illustrative method of operationof the mini-automation controller of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a first graphical user interface windowthat can be used to control the mini-automation controller of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a second and third graphical user interfacewindow that can be used to control the mini-automation controller ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary circuit schematic of the maincontrol board of the mini-automation controller of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a command structure providing an exemplary method ofinterfacing with the main control board of the mini-automationcontroller of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather,the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable oneskilled in the art to practice the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of a mini-automation controller100 (hereinafter “MAC”). MAC 100 includes an Ethernet to Serialconverter 102 (hereinafter “Ethernet controller”), a programmablemicrocontroller 104 (hereinafter “microcontroller”), a voltage regulator108, a power inlet 114, a receiver monitor section 122, a transmittercontrol section 124, computing device 126, graphical user interface(GUI) 128, and test device 130, as well as other supporting components.In various embodiments of the present disclosure, MAC 100 may furtherinclude one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) (not shown) wherein aplurality of supporting components such as capacitors, resistors,inductors, switches, light emitting diodes (LEDs), power terminals, anddiodes may be soldered or electrically coupled to the one or more PCBs.In an exemplary embodiment, MAC 100 may include a main PCB or controlboard wherein Ethernet controller 102, microcontroller 104 and voltageregulator 108 may be soldered or electrically coupled to the PCB.Additionally, the main control board may further include one or more ofthe supporting components described above. The main control board of MAC100 is described in more detail herein below in the disclosed embodimentof FIG. 8.

Receiver monitor section 122 of MAC 100 includes a monostablemultivibrator 106, a fiber optic receiver input 110, and a copper cablereceiver input line 112. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1monostable multivibrator 106 may be electrically coupled to fiber opticreceiver input 110 and copper cable receiver input line 112. Monostablemultivibrator 106 may be configured to function as a dual retrigger-ableprecision monostable multivibrator, wherein the dual retriggerfunctionality includes an active LOW trigger/retrigger and an activeHIGH trigger/retrigger. Monostable multivibrator may be furtherconfigured to include the capability of prolonging an observed triggerevent. Exemplary monostable multivibrators include devices such as ModelNo. 74HC4538 and 74HCT4538 manufactured by NXP Semiconductors®.According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, fiber opticreceiver input 110 may enable MAC 100 to interface with a variety ofdifferent devices. In one aspect of this embodiment, the variety ofdifferent devices includes, for example, various handheld commercialproducts such as radios, car alarm systems, and other wireless devices.Additionally, in a variant of this aspect, these devices may be modifiedfor use in a variety of different operational environments including,for example, emergency response, military operations, and laboratorytesting environments. According to the present disclosure, fiber opticreceiver input 110 may enable MAC 100 to interface with one or more testdevices within a laboratory (not shown) wherein the one or more testdevices may be initially configured or modified to include fiber optictransmitters. Exemplary fiber optic receivers input include devices suchas Model No. HFBR-2414TZ manufactured by Avago Technologies, Inc.®Additionally, and as is known in the art, devices having fiber optictransmitters may interface with other devices having fiber optic inputreceiving circuitry such as fiber optic receiver input 110 of MAC 100.Such devices may include, but should not be limited to, test devicepairs modified to interact with each other such as WIFI or Bluetooth®transmitters and receivers, routers, vehicle based transmitters orreceivers, wherein one or more of the test devices may be modified aftermanufacturing to perform specific functions relative to another device.

As described in further detail herein below, copper cable receiver input112 provides a power and copper-in connection to MAC 100 via, forexample, a circular connector wherein the connector includes a 2-pinconfiguration. Exemplary circular connectors include connectors such asModel No. PT02A-8-4S manufactured by Amphenol. In the disclosedembodiment, copper-in connection of copper cable receiver input line 112provides a direct electrical input signal from, for example, a testdevice wherein the electrical signal from the test device is received bythe main control board of MAC via a copper conductor within the circularconnector.

Transmitter control section 124 of MAC 100 includes a transmittercontrol pulse 116 and a power-out-to-transmitter 118. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 the main control board of MAC 100 mayinclude one or more supporting components configured to generate asignal corresponding to transmitter control pulse 116 and to generate asignal corresponding to power-out-to-transmitter 118. In one embodimentof the present disclosure, microcontroller 104 may be configured togenerate the signal corresponding to transmitter control pulse 116. Inone aspect of this embodiment, microcontroller 104 executes one or moreinstructions wherein execution of the instructions causes the maincontrol board of MAC 100 to transmit the signal corresponding totransmitter control pulse 116 thereby initiating a transmission event.The functionality of microcontroller 104 is described in further detailherein below. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, thesignal corresponding to power-out-to-transmitter 118 enables MAC 100 tosupply power to a variety of different types of transmitters or testdevices, such as test device pairs (e.g. transmitter and receiver devicepairs) modified to interact with each other such as WIFI or Bluetooth®transmitters and receivers, routers, vehicle based transmitter orreceivers, wherein one or more of the test devices may be modified aftermanufacturing to perform specific functions relative to another device.

Test device pair 130 of MAC 100 includes a receiver 132 and transmitter134. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 transmitter 134 receivestransmitter control pulse 116 and power-out-to-transmitter 118.Transmitter 134 is powered by receipt of approximately 12 VDC frompower-out-to-transmitter 118 and the trigger event mentioned aboveoccurs when transmitter 134 of test device 130 receives the signalcorresponding to transmitter control pulse 116. Power-out-to-transmitter118 may also be used to supply power to an ancillary component (notshown) which would condition transmitter control pulse 116 to a signalmore amenable to transmitter 134. Exemplary ancillary components includeelectro-mechanical relays configured to translate transmitter controlpulse 116 to a switch closure operation thereby providing a signal pathto a signal transmit circuit of transmitter 134. Receipt of one or moretransmitter control pulses 116 by transmitter 134 causes transmitter 134to transmit a signal to receiver 132 thereby completing a trigger event.Receiver 132 then generates one or more indicator signals to receivermonitor section 122 of MAC 100.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, transmitter 134 includes aconventional Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter circuit (not shown)configured to generate an RF signal of a fixed or known frequency via anantenna electrically coupled to the transmitter circuit. As is known inthe art, conventional RF transmitter circuits may be designed in avariety of ways and may be found in exemplary devices such as car alarmkey fobs, garage door openers and television remote controls. Likewise,in this embodiment, receiver 132 includes a conventional RF signalreceiver circuit (not shown) configured to detect an RF signal of afixed or known frequency via an antenna electrically coupled to thereceiver circuit wherein the detected RF signal corresponds to the RFsignal generated by the transmit circuit of transmitter 134. Receiver132 may also be configured to generate an indicator signal in responseto detection/receipt of the RF signal generated by the transmit circuitof transmitter 134. Moreover, receiver 132 of test device 130 may beconfigured to provide the indicator signal to receiver monitor section122 of MAC 100 via at least one of a fiber optic cable or a coppercable. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiverportion of test device 130 may also include an ancillary component whichwould condition the indicator signal to a signal more amenable toreceiver monitor section 122. Exemplary ancillary components employedwithin the receiver portion of test device 130 include opto-relays oropto-couplers configured to translate the indicator signal to a switchclosure operation thereby providing a signal path to signal receivermonitor section 122. In one embodiment, the switch closure operationincludes illuminating a light source within the opto-relay to indicatesuccessful receipt of the RF signal from transmitter 134. The opto-relaymay then condition the detected illumination into a signal that can bereceived by receiver monitor section 122.

As indicated above, monostable multivibrator 106 may be configured tofunction as a dual retrigger-able precision monostable multivibrator103. According to the present disclosure, monostable multivibrator 106serves as a comparator and a re-triggerable monostable signal lengthextender for signals received from copper cable receiver input line 112and fiber optic receiver input 110. In one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, monostable multivibrator 106 receives a signal via a firstinput pin and provides an output signal having a particular signaloutput duration. In one aspect of this embodiment, monostablemultivibrator 106 may be configured to hold an output signal “high”wherein the high output signal may be a voltage signal that is higherthan a “low” signal. Monostable multivibrator 106 may be furtherconfigured to hold the output signal high for a predetermined durationof approximately 440 milliseconds (ms). In various embodiments of thepresent disclosure, microcontroller 104 may be configured to sample, ata predetermined rate, one or more output signals provided by monostablemultivibrator 106. In these embodiments, MAC 100 may include amicrocontroller that is manufactured or designed to have a signalsampling rate of 10 ms. Configuring monostable multivibrator 106 to holdan output signal high is desirable because, even though microcontroller104 may be configured to sample output signals provided by monostablemultivibrator 106 multiple times within a 10 ms window/interval,microcontroller 104 may use sampling intervals which are not evenlydistributed within the 10 ms interval. For example, microcontroller 104may be manufactured to have a 10 ms sampling period wherein actualsignal sampling occurs for approximately 7.8 ms and the remainder of thetime (2.2 ms) is reserved for communications between microcontroller 104and a device host or component upstream such as computing device 126.The 2.2 ms gap in signal sampling by microcontroller 104 couldpotentially result in microcontroller 104 not receiving one or moresignals corresponding to one or more test device 130 trigger eventsreceived by at least one of fiber optic receiver input 110 and coppercable receiver input 112. Thus, the output signal hold function ofmonostable multivibrator 106 allows microcontroller 104 to detectreceiver trigger events that fall within, for example, the 2.2 msnon-sampling time or receiver trigger events that are short enough tofall between the selected or programmed signal sampling windows.

As described above, MAC 100 includes microcontroller 104 electricallycoupled to the main control board. Exemplary microcontrollers includedevices such as Model No. PIC12F1822 manufactured by Microchip.Microcontroller 104 includes at least one processor (not shown) andmemory (not shown) wherein the at least one processor is operative toexecute programmed instructions stored in memory (i.e. firmware). In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, microcontroller 104 may beelectrically and communicably coupled to Ethernet controller 102 andmonostable multivibrator 106, wherein microcontroller 104 is disposedgenerally intermediate Ethernet controller 102 and monostablemultivibrator 106. Microcontroller 104 is configured or programmed toreceive one or more serial communication input signals from Ethernetcontroller 102, and the serial input signals cause microcontroller 104to execute one or more instructions stored in memory. Stated anotherway, microcontroller 104 may be programmed to receive and/or read one ormore serial data input signals from Ethernet controller 102 and when avalid instruction is received microcontroller 104 will perform therequired action corresponding to the received instruction. As describedabove, microcontroller 104 may be further programmed to sample orreceive one or more output signals provided by monostable multivibrator106 and to send one or more output signals wherein at least one outputsignal corresponds to transmitter control pulse 116. Microcontroller 104may be further programmed to send one or more serial data output signalsto Ethernet controller 104 wherein the serial output signals includedata parameters that may ultimately be received by, for example,computing device 126 wherein computing device 126 is operative todisplay data via GUI 128 that corresponds to the serial data outputsignals provided by microcontroller 104.

Referring again to the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, MAC 100includes Ethernet controller 102 electrically coupled to the maincontrol board. Exemplary Ethernet controllers include devices such asModel No. SBL2e100IR manufactured by NetBurner, Inc.®. Ethernetcontroller 102 may be configured or designed to provide Ethernetconnectivity to MAC 100 as well as convert incoming Ethernet protocolformat data communication signals into a serial protocol format datastream 120. Serial data stream 120 may include one or more generalpurpose signals that are received and/or read by microcontroller 104 tocause microcontroller 104 to execute one more instructions stored inmemory. Microcontroller 104 reads serial data stream 120 from Ethernetcontroller 102, and when a valid instruction is received,microcontroller 104 performs a required action. Microcontroller 104 maythen provide one or more output serial data signals to Ethernetcontroller 102, and Ethernet controller 102 may then transmit thereceived data to an external device such as a personal computer or anyother device capable of processing the Ethernet signal. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 1 Ethernet controller 102 transmits thereceived data computing device 126 wherein the data is displayed via GUI128.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, Ethernet controller102 is electrically and/or communicably coupled to microcontroller 104and at least one computing device 126. Computing device 126 includesstandard desktop personal or laptop computers having one or more displayscreens operative to display data accessible by computing device 126 anddisplay data, via GUI 128, provided by Ethernet controller 102. In oneembodiment, MAC 100 and computing device 126 are communicably coupled toa local area network via a wireless or wired connection. Ethernetcontroller 102 allows a user to access and engage in data communicationswith MAC100 via at least computing device 126 within the local areanetwork. As described in further detail herein below, and as is known inthe art, computing device 126 may include one or more softwareapplications having a graphical user interface (GUI) 128. GUI 128enables the user to locate MAC 100 within the local area network andfurther enables the user to have overall control of the instructions andcommands provided to and executed by the various devices within MAC 100.

The illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B show graphicalrepresentations of the sampling functionality of microcontroller 104described above. FIG. 2A provides a functional diagram depicting directreceiver event sampling which does not include monostable multivibrator106 providing the signal hold functionality wherein a signalcorresponding to at least one of copper receiver input 112 and fiberoptic receiver input 110 is held “HIGH” for a certain duration. FIG. 2Aincludes direct sampling period 202 which includes event 204,programmatic control phase 206, communications phase 208, detectionphase 210, signal sampling rate 216, receiver event signal 218, andevent detection signal 220. In the disclosed embodiment of FIG. 2A,direct sampling period 202 may initially include programmatic controlphase 206, followed by detection phase 210 and concluded bycommunications phase 208. In one embodiment, the time required forcompleting the three phases is indicated by signal sampling rate 216 (10ms).

During detection phase 210 microcontroller 104 may be engaged in actualsignal sampling for a duration of approximately 7.8 ms. With regard tothe remaining two phases (communication 206 and programmatic control208) microcontroller 104 may perform functions other than actual signalsampling for a duration of approximately 2.2 ms. Thus, as indicated byFIG. 2A, during direct sampling period 202, a capture event 204 mayoccur, for example, during communications phase 208 or duringprogrammatic control phase 206 instead of during detection phase 210. Ifevent 204 occurs during a phase other than detection phase 210, thenmicrocontroller 104 may not detect the event 204 when MAC 100 usesdirect sampling method 202. Receiver event signal 218 represents anexemplary signal waveform corresponding to a signal which may bereceived by receiver monitor section 122 prior to being provided as aninput to monostable multivibrator 106. Additionally, event detectionsignal 220 represents an exemplary waveform corresponding to a signalwhich may be actually received or detected by microcontroller 104 of MAC100. The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2A shows that receiver eventsignal 218 may include at least two signal pulses indicating thatreceiver monitor section 122 has received a trigger event/indicatorsignal from test device 130. This indicator signal also indicates that atrigger event has occurred within test device 130 thereby indicatingthat test device 130 received at least one transmitter control pulse 116provided by transmitter control section 116 of MAC 100. As discussedabove, the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2A shows that the first pulseof receiver event signal 218 (also represented by event 204) may occurwhen during a phase other than detection phase 210. However, the secondpulse of receiver event signal 218 may occur during detection phase 210when microcontroller 104 may be engaged in actual signal sampling. Thus,without the signal hold functionality disclosed in the illustrativeembodiment of FIG. 2B, microcontroller 104 of MAC 100 may not detectcertain trigger events which occur during communication phase 206 andprogrammatic control phase 208.

FIG. 2B includes a functional diagram depicting direct receiver eventsampling that includes monostable multivibrator 106 providing theaforementioned signal hold functionality. FIG. 2B includes substantiallythe same features shown in the functional diagram of FIG. 2A except thatFIG. 2B includes event detection hold signal 222 and modified samplingperiod 212 which includes output high signal 214. In various embodimentsof the present disclosure, direct sampling period 202 and modifiedsampling period 212 generally correspond to functions performed orcarried out at least in part by microcontroller 104 of MAC 100. Asdescribed above, the output signal hold function of monostablemultivibrator 106 allows microcontroller 104 to detect receiver triggerevents that fall within, for example, the 2.2 ms time period in whichmicrocontroller 104 may not be sampling the one or more receiver inputsignals (i.e. non-sampling period). FIGS. 2A and 2B therefore provide adepiction of the differences between directly sampling the receiverinputs and using monostable multivibrator 106 to capture a receive event204. As shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2B, using thefunctionality of monostable multivibrator 106, an occurrence of the sameevent 204 indicated in FIG. 2A causes monostable multivibrator 106 tohold its output signal high for multiple 10 ms periods throughoutmodified sampling period 214. Thus, holding the output signal high foran extended duration ensures that an output signal corresponding to anevent remains high during detection phase 210 of microcontroller 104 andthat no event 204 will be missed because the event occurred in a phaseother than detection phase 210. Thus, with the signal hold functionalitydisclosed in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2B, event detectionsignal 222 is held “HIGH” for a certain duration so that microcontroller104 of MAC 100 may detect trigger events which occur duringcommunication phase 206 and programmatic control phase 208.

FIG. 3 shows a front side perspective view depicting housing 300 in anillustrative embodiment of MAC 100. Housing 300 includes a first side302, a second side 304, a third side 306, a fourth side 308, a fifthside 310, and a sixth side 312. Sides 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, and 312of housing 300 substantially enclose at least the main control board andsome of the electrical components of MAC 100 which may be coupled to themain control board. First side 302 includes an Ethernet connector 314, apower plug input 316, and a switch with a light-emitting diode (LED)318. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 3 Ethernet connector 314 isconfigured to receive a standard Ethernet cable having a first endconnector and a second end connector wherein the first end connector maybe inserted into Ethernet connector 314 and the second end connector maybe inserted into or received by, for example, a connector input port ofa standard wired or wireless router device. In an alternative embodimentof the present disclosure, the second end of the Ethernet cable may beconnected directly to, for example, the computing device 126 describedabove in connection with the disclosed embodiment of FIG. 1. Power pluginput 316 is a standard power input that enables MAC 100 to receive therequired voltage and current needed to power the electronic componentsthat are electrically coupled to the main control board. LED switch 318is a standard push button power switch which may be configured to causeMAC 100 to receive power via power plug input 316. In the disclosedembodiment of FIG. 3, LED switch 318 is generally configured to enableMAC 100 to receive power when LED switch 318 is in a closed state and tonot receive power when LED switch 318 is in an open state.

FIG. 4 shows a backside perspective view depicting housing 300 in anillustrative embodiment of the MAC 100. Second side 304 of housing 300includes a transmitter connector 402 and a receiver connector 404.Exemplary transmitter and receiver connectors include circular connectorModel No. PT02A-8-4S manufactured by Amphenol. In the illustrativeembodiment of FIG. 4, second side 304 may also include a fiber opticreceiver input 406. Third side 306 of the housing 300 may include afirst BNC port 408 and fourth side 308 of housing 300 may include asecond BNC port 410. According to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, first BNC port 408 may be configured to function as anexternal trigger output, wherein the trigger output signal may besynchronized to transmitter control pulse 116 within transmitter controlsection 124 of MAC 100. Additionally, first BNC port 408 may be used fortriggering external capture equipment such as an oscilloscope orspectrum analyzer (not shown). In various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the external capture equipment may provide, for example, avoltage or current waveform indicating certain technical characteristicsof transmitter control pulse 116. Second BNC port 410 may be connectedto or share an input connection with at least copper cable receiverinput line 112 of receiver monitor section 122. Thus, second BNC port410 may be used as a test port to verify the functionality of MACreceiver monitor section 122 by, for example, monitoring the indicatorsignal received in response to transmitter control pulse 116 beingprovided to transmitter 134 of test device 130.

Table 1 illustrated below outlines exemplary connections betweentransmitter connector 402 and receiver connector 404 for each of theconnectors' respective exemplary functions. According to the presentdisclosure, in addition to transmitter connector 402 and receiverconnector 404, first BNC port 408 and second BNC port 410 may also beconnected to transmitter control section 124 and receiver monitorsection 122 respectively. Additionally, an outer shell of each of firstBNC port 408 and second BNC port 410 may be connected to a common ground(not shown) within MAC 100. In one embodiment of the present disclosure,the center conductor of first BNC port 408 (Pin D) may be connected toor share a connection with a device trigger signal connection such astransmitter control plus 116 within MAC 100. In one aspect of thisembodiment, the center conductor of second BNC port 410 (Pin B) may beconnected to or share a connection with the signal path corresponding tocopper cable receiver input line 112 within the main control board ofMAC 100.

TABLE 1 First BNC Port 408 Second BNC Port 410 PT02A-8-4S Pin CableColor Function PT02A-8-4S Pin Cable Color Function A White Device ReturnSignal A Blue Power B Red Power Out B Blue Copper In C Black Ground C DGreen Device Trigger Signal D

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an illustrative method of operation of MAC100. As indicated above, computing device 126 may include one or moresoftware applications having GUI 128. As is described in further detailherein below, the disclosed embodiment of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrateactual exemplary GUI windows according to the present disclosure, namelyhereinafter GUI 600 and GUI 700. GUI 600 enables the user to locate MAC100 within the local area network and further enables the user to haveoverall control of the instructions and commands provided to andexecuted by the various devices within MAC 100. The disclosed embodimentof method 500 includes a plurality of steps for operating MAC 100 thatenables communication between, for example, the firmware ofmicrocontroller 104 and the software application (GUI) of thecontrolling computer or computing device 126. At block 502 the methodincludes configuring the input and output general purpose (GP) pins ofmicrocontroller 104 wherein GP pins 1, 3 and 5 may be configured asinputs for receiving input signals and all remaining pins may beconfigured either as outputs for sending output signals or as pins whichare connected to ground.

At block 504 the method may define one or more hardware serial portparameters to enable microcontroller 104 to perform continuous readingof one or more signals provided by, for example, receiver monitorsection 122 and transmitter control section 124. At block 506, a usermay set one or more default variables, via GUI 600, that may be used toexecute communications with a software application accessible bycomputing device 126. Default variables include, for example,transmission interval wherein the interval is defined by the number ofsignals corresponding to transmitter control pulse 116 that is providedby microcontroller 104 and transmission length is the length of thesignal which may be generally characterized in one or more 10 msdurations. At block 508 microcontroller 104 may begin datacommunications with the software application accessible by computingdevice 126. The software application, GUI 600, and GUI 700 are discussedin further detail herein below in the disclosed embodiment of FIG. 6 andFIG. 7.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user at computing device126 my run the software application to provide, via at least Ethernetcontroller 102, one or more user commands to microcontroller 104. Atblock 510, an initial communication between the software application andmicrocontroller 104 may be to determine overall connectivity between MAC100 and the controlling computer device 126. Once a connection betweenMAC 100 and computer device 126 is established, microcontroller 104 maybe configured to then search for or wait to receive a command or queryfrom the software application. Thus, at block 512, a query command fromcomputing device 126 may be provided to microcontroller 104 wherein thequery request causes microcontroller 104 to provide, for example, therevision number of the firmware stored in the memory of microcontroller104. Accordingly, at block 514 if the revision number is accessible fromthe memory, then microcontroller 104 may output the correspondingfirmware revision number. However, if no firmware revision number queryis provided by the software application, or alternatively, after thefirmware revision number is provided, the method proceeds to block 516and microcontroller 104 may search for or wait to receive a subsequentcommand or query from the software application. At block 516 thesubsequent command or query may include a request by the softwareapplication for microcontroller 104 to provide the serial numberassigned to MAC 100. As disclosed in greater detail in the disclosedembodiment of FIG. 7, GUI 700 may include a scan/query function inwhich, upon entering the appropriate subnet, a user may perform anetwork scan to obtain the internet protocol (IP) address andcorresponding serial number for at least one MAC 100 connected to aparticular network subnet. After initiating the network scan the methodproceeds to block 518, wherein the scan function causes the softwareapplication to send a signal, via Ethernet controller 102, to MAC 100which thereby causes microcontroller 104 to send an output signal to thesoftware application corresponding to the MAC serial number previouslyestablished during configuration of the one or more default variables.The software application may be further configured to display, via GUI700, the serial number corresponding to MAC 100.

According to the present disclosure, after connectivity between MAC 100and computer device 126 is established, the method proceeds to block 520and microcontroller 104 may seek to establish or receive the desiredtransmit intervals from the software application. In one embodiment ofthe present disclosure the desired transmit intervals may correspond tothe default intervals entered by the user at block 506. In analternative embodiment, a user may enter a desired transmit intervalwhich differs from the default transmit interval. As described infurther detail herein below, GUI 600 may include a user input box 602that allows the user to input the desired transmission interval. Oncethe user establishes the desired transmission interval, the softwareapplication provides a signal to MAC 100 corresponding to the desiredinterval. Thus, at block 522, upon receiving the signal indicating thedesired transmit interval, microcontroller 104 may set the transmitinterval variable within the firmware equal to the interval entered bythe user via user input box 602. In addition to receiving the desiredtransmission interval, at block 524, microcontroller 104 may also seekto establish the desired transmission length from the softwareapplication. More specifically, at block 526, GUI 600 may include a userinput box that allows a user to enter or set a desired transmissionlength 604 wherein the transmission length may be provided as one ormore 10 ms durations. Accordingly, at block 526, once the user inputs avalue indicating a desired transmission length, microcontroller 104 mayset the transmission length variable within the firmware equal to thelength entered by the user via user input box 604.

Referring again to the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, at block 528microcontroller 104 may receive a signal from the software applicationindicating that the user desires to initiate a test to verify the dualfunctions of the software application and MAC 100. In one embodiment,the signal to initiate the test may be provided to microcontroller 104,for example, via the software application when the user selects “RUN”button 606 or selects “CHECK” button 608 via GUI 600. In one aspect ofthis embodiment, selection of the “RUN” button by the user may initiatecontinuous transmission events whereas selection of the “CHECK” buttonmay initiate one or more transmission events depending on the desirednumber of events inputted by the user. Once a test or event is initiatedat block 528, microcontroller 104 and MAC 100 will send a signal, viatransmitter control section 124, corresponding to transmitter controlpulse 116 and monitors receiver monitor section 122 and transmittercontrol section 124 to determine whether an actual test or detectionevent occurred within test device 130.

As provided in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, MAC 100 and thesoftware application may be configured such that a test or detectionevent may yield a predetermined number of outcomes. The predeterminedoutcomes may include the following: 1) no transmit or receive signal wasdetected (block 530); 2) a transmit only signal was detected (block532); 3) a receive only signal was detected (block 534); 4) a transmitand receive signal was detected (block 536). Accordingly, in oneembodiment of the present disclosure, microcontroller 104 may beconfigured to receive one or more signals indicating the resultingoutcome of the initiated test or detection event. Moreover,microcontroller 104 may be further configured to send the softwareapplication the results, for example, in the form of a single byte ofdata. Thus, at block 530, if there is no transmit or receive signalobserved or detected by MAC 100, then microcontroller 104 may send asignal to the software application indicating a single byte of datarepresenting the binary equivalent of a “0”. In one aspect of thisembodiment, if there is a transmit signal observed or detected by MAC100, microcontroller 104 may send a signal to the software applicationindicating a byte of data representing the binary equivalent of a “1”.Likewise, in a variant of this aspect, if there is a receive signalobserved or detected by MAC 100, microcontroller 104 may send a signalto the software application indicating a byte of data representing thebinary equivalent of a “2”. Lastly, in another variant of this aspect,if there is both a transmit signal and a receive signal observed ordetected by MAC 100, microcontroller 104 may send a signal to thesoftware application indicating a byte of data representing the binaryequivalent of a “3”.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the steps or processesinvolved in the above referenced method 500 should not be limited to thesequence described in the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill inthe art could readily understand the plurality of different options fororganizing or executing the steps of method 500 in order to achievesubstantially the same results or outcomes disclosed above. For example,a user may command microcontroller 104 to set the desired transmitinterval either before or after commanding microcontroller 104 to setthe desired transmission length or commanding microcontroller 104 toprovide the serial number of MAC 100. Accordingly, the presentdisclosure contemplates that one of ordinary skill in the art mayimplement or execute one or more steps of method 500 in a plurality ofdifferent ways. Thus, the present disclosure should not be limited tothe particular order disclosed above in connection with the illustrativeembodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 provide illustrative embodiments of GUI 600 and GUI700. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, computing device126 may include GUI 600 and 700 wherein both GUIs enable a user toprovide one or more data parameters to MAC 100 and view datacorresponding to one or more data parameters or signals associated withMAC 100. For example, GUI 600 allows a user to perform a plurality offunctions which cause the above referenced software application to sendone or more instructions/commands to microcontroller 104 of MAC 100. GUI600 and 700 may be designed by, for example, utilizing third partysoftware programs to produce custom built software applications, such asthe software application referenced above in connection with thedisclosed embodiment of FIG. 5. Exemplary third party softwareapplications include programs, such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, and WindowsTelnet Application.

According to the present disclosure, GUI 600 includes a transmitinterval input 602, a transmission length input 604, a “RUN” button 606,a “CHECK” button 608, a check input 610, a first graph section 612, asecond graph section 614, a menu 616, an IP address display 618, atransmission signal count 620, a receive signal count 622, and a“CONNECT” button 624. As indicated above in connection with theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, transmit interval input 602 allows auser to input a data parameter indicating a desired transmit interval.The transmit interval corresponds to the number of transmitter controlpulses 116 that are provided by MAC 100 to test device 130. Likewise,transmission length input 604 allows a user to input a data parameterindicating a desired transmission length. The transmission lengthcorresponds to the duration or length of a single transmitter controlpulse 116. “RUN” button 606 allows the user to initiate a continuoustest or detection event wherein a plurality of transmitter controlpulses 116 are provided to test device 130 until the user stops the testby once again selecting “RUN” button 606. “CHECK” button 608 allows theuser to initiate one or more a transmitter control pulse 116 eventsdepending on the desired number of events inputted by the user.Accordingly, check input 610 allows the user to input the desired numberof events. For example, if the user enters 10 into check input 610 andthen selects “CHECK” button 608 then MAC 100 will respond by sending 10transmitter control pulses 116 to test device 130 and stop after thetenth pulse is sent.

GUI 600 further includes at least two graph sections that allowseparation of data received from receiver monitor section 122 and fromtransmitter control section 124. More particularly, GUI 600 cangraphically display data in first graph section 612 wherein the datacorresponds to signals detected by transmitter control section 124.Likewise, GUI 600 can graphically display data in second graph section614 wherein the data corresponds to signals detected by receiver monitorsection 122. Moreover, in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 6, firstgraph section 612 may indicate the state of microcontroller 104 pin “7”and may be labeled “Tx.” Similarly, second graph section 614 mayindicate the state of the microcontroller 104 pin “6” and may be labeled“Rx”. Transmission signal count 620 indicates the number of transmittercontrol pulses 116 detected by transmitter control section 124.Likewise, receive signal count 622 indicates the number of indicatorsignals received by, for example, receiver monitor section 122 via fiberoptic receiver input line 110 and copper cable input line 112.

According to the present disclosure, when a transmission signal or areceive signal is detected by MAC 100, microcontroller 104 sends asignal to the software application and the application displays the datato the user by providing a numerical output. The software applicationmay increment the numerical output in real time in response to MAC 100detecting additional transmission signals or additional receive signals.“CONNECT” button 624 allows the user to initiate a connection betweenthe software application and MAC 100 by, for example, entering an IPaddress assigned to MAC 100. To properly identify the correct internetprotocol (IP) address 618 of MAC 100, the software application mayinclude a scan utility option within dropdown menu 616. In response toselecting the scan utility option the software application will launchGUI 700 wherein the user will be allowed to initiate a scan of, forexample, the wired or wireless network to find the desired MAC 100 thatthey desire to use.

The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 7 shows GUI 700 which includes thescan utility. GUI 700 may include a display section operative to displayat least one IP address 702 corresponding to MAC 100 and display atleast one serial number 704 corresponding to MAC 100. If there aremultiple MACs 100 on a given network, then the user may select theserial number 704 and IP address of the MAC 100 that they desire to use.GUI 700 further includes “SCAN” button 706, subnet input 708, “SelectIP” button 710, and MAC info display 712. “SCAN” button 706 allows theuser to initiate a scan of, for example, the wired or wireless networkto find the desired MAC 100 that they want to use. Prior to initiating ascan, the user may, via subnet input 708, enter the appropriate networksubnet in which the desired MAC 100 may be located. After initiating thescan “Select IP” button 710 allows the user to select a desired IPaddress 702 and corresponding MAC serial number 704 for a desired MAC100.

The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 8 shows an exemplary circuitschematic of the main control board of MAC 100. Circuit 800 generallyincludes power input terminal 802, voltage regulator 804, diode 806,filter 808, inductor 810 and power output terminal 812. Circuit 800further generally includes Ethernet controller 814, microcontroller 816,first solder jumper 818, second solder jumper 820, LED 822, monostablemultivibrator 824, signal input terminal 826. As described above, invarious embodiments of the present disclosure, MAC 100 may include aprinted circuit board (PCB) (not shown) wherein a plurality ofcomponents such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, switches, lightemitting diodes (LEDs), power terminals, and diodes may be soldered orelectrically coupled thereto. As is known in the art, circuit designssuch as circuit 800 provide the schematic that one of ordinary skill inthe art may use to produce a printed circuit board having the pluralityof components described above.

According to the present disclosure, circuit 800 receives the requiredsupply voltage via power input terminal 802. In one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, circuit 800 receives a supply voltage of 12.6 VDC.Voltage regulator 804 functions as step-down regulator that receives, asan input, the 12.6 VDC and provides a stepped-down output voltage ofapproximately 3.3 VDC. Diode 806 provides voltage and current flow inone direction, generally from the anode to the cathode and blocks, forexample, current flow in the reverse direction or from the cathode tothe anode. Filter 808 and inductor 810 provide noise suppression on the12.6V supply line by, for example, suppressing unwanted voltage orcurrent spikes. Power output terminal 812 provide a point of connectionto the 12.6 VDC supply voltage in order to power the test device 130.Power output terminal 812 also provides a point of connection betweenthe main control board and test device 130. Thus, power output terminal812 enables the signal corresponding to transmitter control pulse 116(device trigger signal) to be received by test device 130 such that testdevice 130 may initiate a transmission event in response to receivingtransmitter control pulse 116.

As described above, Ethernet controller 814 converts incoming Ethernetbased data communication signals into a serial data stream that isreceived by microcontroller 816. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG.8, Ethernet controller 814 includes a plurality of signal pins and “Tx1”may be configured to send an outgoing serial data stream to pin 2 ofmicrocontroller 816 whereas “Rx1” may be configured to receive anincoming serial data stream from pin 3 of microcontroller 816.Microcontroller 816 also includes a plurality of other signal pins. Inone embodiment of the present disclosure, microcontroller 816 includessix signal pins wherein pins 1, 2, 5 and 6 are signal input pins whilethe remaining pins are either output pins, power pins or are connectedto ground. Microcontroller 816 may be configured to receive, via pin 2,a serial data stream from Ethernet controller 814 and may be configuredto send, via pin 3, a serial data stream to Ethernet controller 814.Microcontroller 816 may also send, via pin 7, a signal corresponding totransmitter control pulse 116 (Device Trigger Signal) to test device130. Microcontroller 816 may also receive, via pin 5, a return signalfrom the device under test indicating that the signal corresponding totransmitter control pulse 116 was in fact received by the test device.Moreover, as indicated above, microcontroller 816 samples, at apredetermined rate, one or more signals output by or received frommonostable multivibrator 824. Thus, microcontroller 816 may sampleand/or receive, via pin 6, an output signal corresponding to, forexample, receiver detection signal (indicator signal) that is providedas an input to monostable multivibrator 824 via at least one of coppercable receiver input 112 and fiber optic receiver input 110. Signalinput terminal 826 provides points of connection which enable MAC 100 toreceive the input signals provided by copper cable receiver input 112and fiber optic receiver input 110.

Monostable multivibrator 824 also includes a plurality of signal pinswherein pins 11, 12 and 16 are single input pins, pin 10 is a signaloutput pin, and the remaining pins generally may be tied to ground.Monostable multivibrator 824 may be configured to receive, via pins 11and 12, a signal corresponding to at least one of fiber optic receiverinput 110 and copper cable receiver input 112, respectively. Asindicated above, monostable multivibrator 824 may be further configuredto hold the fiber optic or copper cable input signal “HIGH” and output,via pin 10, the “HIGH” output signal that is subsequentlysampled/received by microcontroller 816. In one embodiment of thepresent disclosure, first solder jumper 818 allows LED 822 to receivepower via the stepped-down 3.3 VDC provided by voltage regulator 804. Inan alternative embodiment, second solder jumper 820 allows LED 822 toreceive power via microcontroller 816. Thus, LED 822 may be configuredas a light indicator that indicates when MAC 100 has received theappropriate supply voltage or as a light indicator that indicates, viamicrocontroller 816, that command functions within microcontroller 816have properly initialized and that the firmware is functioning asprogrammed.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, MAC 100 operates asfollows: pin 7 of microcontroller 816 may be connected to test device130 and used to trigger the transmission of a signal that is provided totransmitter 134 via transmitter control section 124. Likewise pin 6 maybe connected to the output of monostable multivibrator 824 andmicrocontroller 816 may sample indicator signals received by receivermonitor section 122. With regard to the pins of microcontroller 816,when an event occurs, event detection may be in the form of a change involtage at input pin 6 in response to receiver 132 of test device 130transmitting a signal that is received by receiver monitor section 122.In one aspect of this embodiment, a voltage of less than approximately0.8 volts direct current (VDC) may be interpreted by microcontroller 816as “low” state or “0” and a voltage greater than approximately 2 VDC maybe interpreted as a “high” state or “1”.

To send the status of transmitter control section 124 and receivermonitor section 122 expediently and accurately, the state ofmicrocontroller 816 pin 6 may be bit shifted one place to the left and abitwise “OR” operation may be performed with microcontroller 104 pin 7.For example, if microcontroller 816 pin 6 is a “1” (HIGH signal) andmicrocontroller 816 pin 7 is a “0” (LOW signal) the following bytepattern may be transmitted to Ethernet controller 814 viamicrocontroller 816: “00000001” (8 bit representation of decimal 1) maybe bit shifted to the left by one place and the result is “00000010”.This result may then be cross checked with the binary representation ofthe microcontroller pin 6, in this case “00000000”. The result of thisoperation is “00000010” in binary or the decimal equivalent of thenumber “2”. As a result, the state of both microcontroller 816 pins 7and 6 may be sent to Ethernet controller 814 using a single byte ofdata. This method of transmitting the signal state of the pin 6 and pin7 may result in one of four possible numbers being provided to Ethernetcontroller 814. The four possible states include: 0, 1, 2 and 3, whereineach state may be indicated by one byte of data. In various embodimentsof the present disclosure, the four states correspond to the fourpredetermined outcomes discussed above in connection with theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 5. Moreover, in addition to the singledata byte being sent by microcontroller 816, two additional bytes (acarriage return and line feed) may be added to the data byte provided toethernet controller 814, wherein the additional bytes indicate to thehost computer or controller computing device 126 that the data sendingprocess initiated by microcontroller 816 has completed.

The illustrative embodiment of FIG. 9 shows a command structureproviding an exemplary method of interfacing with the main control boardof MAC 100. Command structure 900 includes a plurality of command blocksshowing exemplary command descriptions, exemplary commands, andexemplary expected responses. The command descriptions generallycorrespond to one or more functions performed or inputted by a userresiding at, for example, computing device 126. The commands indicatethe actual command language/text inputted by the user to interface withthe main control board of MAC 100 and the expected response indicatesthe actual response from the main control board once the main controlboard receives a command from the user. As indicated above in thedisclosed embodiment of FIG. 6, GUI 600 allow users to perform aplurality of functions which cause a software application installed oncomputing device 126 to send one or more instructions/commands to themain control board (MCB) of MAC 100. Command structure 900 may be usedby one of ordinary skill to interface with the MCB of MAC 100 viaexemplary software applications such as Matlab, LabVIEW, or WindowsTelnet. According to the present disclosure, the illustrative embodimentof FIG. 9 includes command block 902 which includes command “100\r”. Inone embodiment of the present disclosure, a user may interface with theMCB of MAC 100 via Windows Telnet by first entering the IP address forMAC100 to initially locate and attempt to connect to MAC 100 within awireless or wired local area network. The user may then input/send thecommand “100\r” to the MCB of MAC 100 via the Windows Telnet applicationwherein microcontroller 104 coupled to the MCB includes firmware thatcauses microcontroller 104 to output an expected response of “OK”thereby verifying a connection between computing device 126 and the MCBof MAC100.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a user may interfacewith the MCB of MAC 100 via a software application such as LabVIEW. GUI600 and GUI 700 provide illustrations of an exemplary user interfacethat may be developed by one of ordinary skill using the commerciallyavailable LabVIEW software application. As depicted in GUI 600, LabVIEWenables one of ordinary skill to select a button/icon from the LabVIEWicon database and label the icon as “CONNECT” wherein one of ordinaryskill may further program the “CONNECT” button 624 to send command“100\r” to the microcontroller 104 when a user clicks “CONNECT” button624. Likewise, when microcontroller 104 outputs the “OK” in response toreceiving the command “100\r”, one of ordinary skill may program thegreen indicator within GUI 600 to illuminate in response to receiving tothe “OK” from the firmware of microcontroller 104.

The above description with regard to command block 902 and command“100\r” is applicable to the remaining command blocks and correspondingcommands of MAC command structure 900. Command block 904 includescommand “101\r” which enables one of ordinary skill to interface withthe MCB by using the software application installed on computing device126 to send command “101\r” to cause microcontroller 104 to respond byproviding the current transmit interval in multiples of 10 ms. Thecurrent transmit interval indicates the current or most recently savedtransmit interval residing in, for example, a memory module ofmicrocontroller 104. Command block 904 further includes the expectedresponse wherein microcontroller 104 will respond with an integer from10 to 65535 to indicate the current transmit interval. Command block 906includes command “102\r” which enables one of ordinary skill tointerface with the MCB by using the software application installed oncomputing device 126 to send command “102\r” to the MCB indicating thatthe user wishes to set a new a transmit interval in multiples of 10 ms.Microcontroller 104 may then respond by instructing the user to inputthe new transmit interval wherein the input provided by the user islimited to an integer value ranging from 10 to 65535. In one embodimentof the present disclosure and as indicated by GUI 600, one of ordinaryskill may program the software application to run the command “102\r” ina continuous loop wherein the user may simply input a desired transmitinterval via, for example, user input box 602 and microcontroller 104will recognize the input and set a new transmit interval. Thus, becausethe software application is programmed to run command “102\r” in acontinuous loop any subsequent integer inputs provided to user input box602 will cause the microcontroller 104 to set a new transmit interval.

Command block 908 includes command “103\r” which enables one of ordinaryskill to interface with the MCB by using the software applicationinstalled on computing device 126 to send command “103\r” to the MCB tocause microcontroller 104 to respond by providing the firmwareversion/revision number. Command block 908 further includes the expectedresponse wherein microcontroller 104 will respond with the firmwarerevision in an exemplary format such as “Version: X.X.X.1822”. Anexemplary implementation of a software application programmed toimplement command “103\r” is provided by MAC info display 712 of GUI700. Command block 910 includes command “104\r” which enables one ofordinary skill to interface with the MCB by using the softwareapplication installed on computing device 126 to send command “104\r” tothe MCB to cause microcontroller 104 to respond by providing the MACserial. Command block 910 further includes the expected response whereinmicrocontroller 104 will respond with the MAC serial number in anexemplary format such as “S/N: MAC-XXXX\r\n” wherein X is an integervalue ranging from 0 to 255. As noted above with regard to command“103\r”, MAC info display 712 of GUI 700 also provides an exemplaryimplementation of a software application programmed to implement command“104\r”.

Command block 912 includes command “105\r” which enables one of ordinaryskill to interface with the MCB by using the software applicationinstalled on computing device 126 to send command “105\r” to the MCB tocause microcontroller 104 to respond by providing the current transmitlength in multiples of 10 ms. Command block 912 further includes theexpected response wherein microcontroller 104 will respond with aninteger from 2 to 65535 to indicate the current transmit length. Commandblock 914 includes command “106\r” which enables one of ordinary skillto interface with the MCB by using the software application installed oncomputing device 126 to send command “106\r” to the MCB indicating thatthe user wishes to set a new transmit length in multiples of 10 ms.Microcontroller 104 may then respond by instructing the user to inputthe new transmit length wherein the input provided by the user islimited to an integer value ranging from 2 to 65535. In one embodimentof the present disclosure and as indicated by GUI 600, one of ordinaryskill may program the software application to run the command “106\r” inan event driven mode wherein the user may simply input a desiredtransmit length via, for example, user input box 604 and microcontroller104 will recognize the input and set a new transmit length. Thus,because the software application is programmed to run command “106\r” inthe event that the value in box 604 changes, any subsequent integerinputs provided to user input box 604 will cause the microcontroller 104to set a new transmit length.

Command block 916 includes command “1\r” which enables one of ordinaryskill to interface with the MCB by using the software applicationinstalled on computing device 126 to send command “1\r” to the MCB tocause MAC100 to begin the signal transmit and signal receive sequence.Command block 916 further includes the expected response whereinmicrocontroller 104 will respond with an integer from 0 to 3 wherein: 0indicates no transmit signal detected and no receive signal detected; 1indicates transmit signal only detected; 2 indicates receive signal onlydetected; and 3 indicates both transmit signal detected and receivesignal detected. In one embodiment of the present disclosure and asindicated by GUI 600, one of ordinary skill may program a softwareapplication such as LabVIEW to include a first graph section 612 thatprovides a signal wave form indicating when a transmit signal isdetected. Likewise, the software application may further include asecond graph section 614 that provides a signal wave form indicatingwhen a receive signal is detected. In another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a user may simply input/send the command “1\r” to the MCB ofMAC 100 via the Windows Telnet Application. The firmware installed inmicrocontroller 104 will thereby cause microcontroller 104 to output anexpected response of “N” wherein “N” is a “0”, “1”, “2”, or “3” viewableto the user via the Windows Telnet Application display.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in theclaims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofdisclosure. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and anyelement(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occuror become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. Thedisclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including anyamendments made during the pendency of this application and allequivalents of those claims as issued. Although the invention has beendescribed in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments,variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described and defined in the following claims.

1. An electronic controller comprising: a converter componentcommunicably coupled to a computing device, the converter componentconfigured to receive at least one data signal from the computing deviceand output a first converted data signal; a controller componentcommunicably coupled to the converter component and configured toreceive the first converted data signal and output a control signal; afirst circuit configured to receive the control signal and generate atransmitter control pulse directed to a test device; a second circuitconfigured to receive one or more indicator signals from the test devicewherein the indicator signals include at least one of a high stateindicating the test device received the transmitter control pulse and alow state indicating the test device did not receive the transmittercontrol pulse; a signal hold circuit electrically coupled to the secondcircuit and the controller component, the signal hold circuit configuredto hold at least one of the one or more indicator signals for a durationand output the held indicator signal; and wherein the controllercomponent includes logic operative to generate at least one data signalprovided to the converter component wherein the data signal indicatesthe state of the indicator signal; and wherein the converter componentoperative to provide a second converted data signal directed to thecomputing device wherein the second converted data signal indicates thestate of the indicator signal.
 2. The electronic controller of claim 1,wherein the logic is further operative to generate control signals thatcause the one or more circuits to perform a desired function, whereinthe desired function includes causing the first circuit to generate areoccurring transmitter control pulse.
 3. The electronic controller ofclaim 1, wherein the logic is further operative to monitor an output ofthe signal hold circuit wherein the output indicates the state of theindicator signal.
 4. The electronic controller of claim 1, wherein theone or more indicator signals provided to the second circuit include atleast one of a digital signal provided via a fiber optic cable and ananalog signal provided via a copper cable.
 5. The electronic controllerof claim 1, wherein the test device includes a transmit circuit and areceive circuit and in response to the test device receiving thetransmitter control pulse, the transmit circuit transmits a signal tothe receive circuit.
 6. The electronic controller of claim 5, whereinthe signal transmitted to the receive circuit from the transmit circuitcauses the receive circuit to transmit the indicator signal therebyindicating that the test device received the transmitter control pulse.7. The electronic controller of claim 1, wherein the converter componentreceives a first data signal in a first format and converts the firstdata signal to a second format, wherein the second format includes atleast one of an Ethernet protocol format and a serial interface protocolformat.
 8. The electronic controller of claim 1, wherein the firstconverted data signal includes a serial protocol format and the secondconverted data signal includes a serial interface protocol format. 9.The electronic controller of claim 1, further including a housing and acontrol board enclosed by the housing, wherein the converter component,the first circuit, the second circuit, the signal hold circuit, and thecontroller component are electrically coupled to the control board.